England have arranged a 50‑over practice match against a Western Australia XI at the historic WACA ground as a preparatory step before their one‑day international series with Australia in November. The decision comes after widespread criticism that the English side entered the previous Ashes tour without any meaningful exposure to Australian conditions, a shortfall that many observers believe contributed to their humiliating 4‑1 defeat in the Test series.
During the Ashes, England’s only warm‑up for the Test format was an intra‑squad game held at Lilac Hill, a modest club venue that offered none of the steep bounce and extra pace that characterize Perth’s WACA pitch. The lack of genuine opposition left the tourists under‑prepared for the hostile environment they encountered in the series opener, a match they lost in just two days.
White‑ball coach Brendon McCullum, who also oversaw the Test side during the Ashes debacle, had publicly expressed his intention to secure more substantive warm‑up fixtures ahead of the upcoming limited‑overs campaign. His wish has now been realised: the English squad will face the Western Australia XI on 7 November, giving them a chance to acclimatise to local pitches, climate and playing styles. The first official One‑Day International (ODI) against Australia is scheduled for 13 November at Perth’s Optus Stadium.
The series will continue with two further ODIs – one in Adelaide on 15 November and another in Hobart on 18 November – before the teams shift focus to the Twenty‑20 format. England will contest five T20 internationals across Melbourne, the Gold Coast’s Carrara, Brisbane, Sydney and Canberra, providing a comprehensive tour of the Australian cricketing landscape. While the touring party has yet to be formally announced, there is optimism that all‑rounder Jacob Bethell will be fit for the trip. Bethell missed the latter part of the English domestic season after undergoing knee surgery, but his recovery has progressed well and selectors hope to see him back in action.
Before heading to Australia, England will compete in an ODI tri‑series in Pakistan, which also features Sri Lanka, beginning on 20 October. This tournament will serve as an additional platform for players to fine‑tune their skills and build momentum ahead of the Australian leg of the tour. A notable selection change for the Australian tour is the inclusion of Glamorgan leg‑spinner Mason Crane, who replaces the dropped Rehan Ahmed.
Crane’s recall marks his potential first senior international appearance since the 2017‑18 Ashes, where he endured a challenging debut, returning figures of 1 for 193 off 48 overs in Sydney. Since that early test experience, Crane has enjoyed a prolific domestic season in 2026, featuring in all 14 County Championship matches, claiming 34 wickets, and impressively adding two centuries with the bat. He also topped the Vitality Blast charts with 15 wickets, underscoring his development as a genuine all‑rounder.
Former England captain Michael Atherton discussed Crane’s resurgence on the Sky Sports Cricket Podcast, describing his call‑up as "a great story." Atherton highlighted Crane’s resilience, noting that despite a rough introduction to Test cricket, the bowler displayed considerable character and did not bowl as poorly as his figures suggested. He praised Crane’s growth, emphasizing that the 29‑year‑old now benefits from both experience and regular county cricket, which has sharpened his skills and confidence.
Atherton also pointed out that Crane’s batting has improved, adding depth to his selection prospects. Atherton was candid about the decision to drop Ahmed, stating that England needed a more specialist leg‑spinner. He argued that Ahmed, while capable with the bat, is primarily a batter who bowls leg‑spin, whereas Crane is a genuine leg‑spinner first.
The former captain suggested that Ahmed still has a future with England, but his role must be clearly defined, and the team must decide how best to utilise his talents. Looking ahead, Crane could become a key figure for England not only in the limited‑overs series but also potentially in the upcoming Test series against Bangladesh in February. His ability to contribute with both ball and bat makes him a valuable asset in the modern game, where teams increasingly seek players who can impact multiple facets of play.
In summary, England’s decision to schedule a warm‑up match in Western Australia addresses the criticism leveled after the Ashes and provides the squad with essential exposure to Australian conditions. The inclusion of fit‑again Jacob Bethell and the promising leg‑spinner Mason Crane signals a refreshed approach to squad selection, blending youth, experience and specialist skills.
With a packed itinerary that includes ODIs, T20s and a preceding tri‑series in Pakistan, England will have ample opportunity to fine‑tune strategies, build cohesion and, ultimately, aim for a more competitive performance against their southern rivals.